Jill Elizabeth Ollerton (49), of New Barn Farm in Accrington Road, was charged with 10 counts of failing to dispose of or process animal by-products, relating to sheep and cows, whose decaying bodies were found in fields by inspectors.

She was ordered to pay the fine in the next six months during sentencing at Burnley Crown Court, and was also given a three-year conditional discharge by Judge Simon Newell, who saw photos of the carcasses.

Lancashire County Council animal health officers discovered the animals during five visits to the farm between January and March 2005 and the case was brought by Lancashire Trading Standards.

Ollerton, who runs the 600-acre farm on her own with casual help, was previously found guilty of four counts of failing to dispose of animal carcasses in 2001 and admitted the offence of cruelty to a sheep in 2005.

Mr Simon Vaughan (prosecuting) said: "Local authority officers made these various visits to the farm to basically investigate what was happening to these animals and also toured the farm. They found carcasses, 16 in all, and these are the worst examples of conditions of animals and they have not been disposed of properly. This is not about the mistreatment of animals while they are alive, this is about the spread of disease and hygiene issues in terms of humans and the other animals."

Mr Jeffrey Samuels (defending) said Ollerton was in "dire" financial straits, struggling to run the farm on her own. He added: "She was not born into a farming family, she qualified in pharmacology at Liverpool University but her father had suggested she take over the running of this farm.

"She finds it very difficult indeed and struggles to cope in the task of looking after the animals and organising their disposal. She runs it on her own with only casual help when the money is available. Her financial position she describes as dire and she is looking for other sources of income."

He added she was planning to put the sheep and cows up for auction to raise some money, which could come to £20,000.

Sentencing, Judge Newell said: "These animals were a considerable hazard to yourself, those working for you and those who may be directly or indirectly affected by their presence. I would hope for the future, with the assistance of others, a line should be drawn under this type of activity, as it is not doing you any good or the public any good."